Record changer



NOV. 11, 1952 G. H. LEONARD RECORD CHANGER 3 SheetsSheet l Filed June 3, 1948 Inventor GEORGE H. LEONARD Gttornegs Nov. 11, 1952 G, H, LEONARD 2,617,655

RECORD CHANGER Filed June 3. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. e. 8 F'G- 7- 8 l :Snventor GEORGE H. LEONARD Clfornegs Nov. l1, 1952 G. H. LEONARD RECORD CHANGER s sheets-sheet 3 Filed June 3, 1948 Win@ GEORGE H. LEONARD Patented Nov. 11, `1952 RECORD CHANGER George Leonard, Darien, Conn., assigner to C. G.S. Laboratories, Inc., Stalnford,Conn.

Application June 3, 1948, Serial fNo'.'-30;865

6 Claims, l

.This `.invention .relates .to :phonograph record players for reproducing recorded ysound signals. More Vparticularly .it .relates to improved .methods and-apparatus ionchanging records so `that a series ofirecords maybe .played automatically .and

in succession.

.Such automatic vrecord changers. are .desirable sothat. a number of reoordsmay beplayed withcutthenecessity Efor manualmanipulation by the operator .Lin `order .to transfer .theplaying .mechanismffromfone record `to `the next. .Manyttypes of `automatic record vchangers have.' been Videveloped, but only the. most..expensiveuof those now produced. commercially, `handle the recordsin suchmannerfas'tozminimize likelihood of ydamage to ,the records. Such `:record changersin A.addition to the high initial cost, employ complicated mechanisms lWhichare difficult .to 'service andrequire icareful .adjustment in .order rto obtain the best :performance l Some efforts .to .reduce A.the complexity 1 of the v:mechanism and lower the .cost have .resulted in lover.simplifieation `with theresultz'that :only .records within .relatively .narrow dimensional .iimitsycan Vbe used.

.One `typecoirecordrchanger new `in use :employsa center .spindle fon 'which .the records are stacked and held in position above the turntable byfan eofsetor shoulder on `the spindle. The records are .released .one at aLtime by `pushing the lowermost record. :over `this .offset .or shoulder. Such. azisystem has several undesirable .characteristics.. For example, the .entire record stack lis supported* or Vrestrained by 'the lowermost record at `.the-:time of :its release, and because .of fthe release system Ythe .edges vof the oenterhcles fare Worn .in some cases so .much that. `therecords fcan no longer be achanged automatically. Moreover, the;;following records tend to strikethe turntable atanangle resulting `in excessive noise and possible damage to .the sound track of aV record already upon: the turntable.

Another type `of Yrecord changervemploys a Slicer mechanism in which the records are supported Aat lor nearthe edgeand caused to drop byl graduallyxmoving the `supportslaterally 'from beneaththe `lovvermost record, While the upper records aresupportedxby a thin fslicer arm. Such mechanisms have many disadvantages; .for example, the `two `(.or more) record supporting devices `ordinarily do not release the `record at exactly .the same yinstant and, therefore, `the recorddoes not fall `flat upon the turntable. In addition,A the position of the vrecord supporting surfaces at'the perimeter of therecord necessitetes a larger spa-ce for accommodating the recf2 v ord .playing equipment. :Both types oirecord changers usually anustvbeadjusted manually-.to change :from records `of one.diameter. to another. To .adaptzthese changers to playxintermixedrecords :of ,diflerentdiameters requires relatively complicated and expensive mechanical structures. Furthermore, many of .-.these changers willjam or damage the records r.if warped recordsaorv recaords .whichare too thicker too `thin-are placed on .the changer.

A third type ofschanger, the spindle changer, in which the record changing mechanism :isassociated with Athe center spindle, has manyinherent advantages over the above types, lout because of `other disadvantages associated .with .present day spindle type changers, they .have nctlheen completely successful. For example, `:clamping mechanisms likelyY to damage ithe center holefof the .records have been :,employed, .Jandiin `many.

instances, the Aentire .record "stack is .supported cluringpart of the cycle byxapplyingthe gripping or .supporting force at the centerhole'of a single record. During another part .of the cycle, the records rest uponsupporting shouldersor'projections from the ,center spindle `which are in cons tact with only .a very small .area-'oi thelowerfsurface of the :lov/ermostrecord immediately adjae cent the center hole. Thus, during :both partsiof the cycle the record supporting .method'is such as is likely to damage or `abrade the records..

Also, `ascpointed out above, .the record release mechanisms are :such that the .records do .inot always .fall .fiat upon :the turntable. Further trouble .may be vexperienced Withfrecordshaving burrs vor labels A.vlzhich :are `rough lor wrinkledadjacent the center.holewherethexrecordsare supported. l

Thus, it :is 4*apparent that .present `day :record changers have .many `rdisadvantages including 'the possibility of damaging the records .by :chipping or. breaking or lby `deacing the sound, grooves .on the records, orbyrapid wearingof "the center hole. v

:Moreoven the.fnoisercreatedz` either by the record changing mechanism ,orby the noise of v'a .falling record striking, Aat an angle, a Vrecord :already upon the turntable is annoying.. .Inaddition mechanisms for handling. records 'of :various sizes, particularly `When;these records are .intermixed-, that is, when two sizes of y.records are contained within the same group. are complicated and thus are reserved for use only. in more expensive record changers.

In accordance with thelpresent invention, `a record changer is provided which handleslthe records in such manner as to preclude damage to the records, operates independently of record diameter, will handle warped or eccentric records, provides for easy and rapid record removal or replacement, may be readily adapted to "mixer type operation, and overcomes many other defects and disadvantages of present day record changers.

` An object of this invention is to provide methods and apparatus for releasing a phonograph record by moving the record supporting medium downwardly with an initial acceleration greater than the gravitational acceleration of the record, and moving the medium out of the path of the falling record. Y

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved spindle type record changing mech anism in which the entire record handling mechanism is operated from the center spindle, and in which the record to be played is supported solely at spaced points intermediate the perimeter and the center hole of the record.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved energy-storage trigger-release mechanism for operating the record dropping mechanism.

Still another object is to provide an improved spring tension release arrangement for removing normal spring forces during the period when a record is being released thereby to prolong the lifeof the changer and to increase the reliability of operation.

Another object is to provide a record dropping mechanism whereby each record is dropped fiat upon the turntable, thus reducing `the possibility of record damage and minimizing the noise caused by changing records;

It is a further object to provide such a record changer in which the records may be removed or replaced easily and quickly on the center spindlewithout the necessity for manipulating the records in a critical or skilled manner and without likelihoodv olA damaging the records.

Another object .is to provide such a record changer which may be readily adapted to various types of record players already in commercial use and which may be adapted with particular advantage tothe playing of intermixed records and to use. in coin-operated record machines of the so-called juke box type.

Still another object is to provide an improved arrangement for gently but securely supporting and holding the record stack during mid-cycle.

A further object is to provide such an arrangement in which the force supporting the record stack is distributed over several records.

Still another object is to provide such an arrangement in which the record gripping media is a specially shaped ring or sleeve of rubberlike material.

These and other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed description of an embodiment of .the invention. Although it is to be understood that this description relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention suitable for commercial production without substantial modification, it is to be made clear also that various modications may be made as are deemed desirable or necessary in accordance` with the particular application; and, accordingly, many types of record changers may be constructed utilizing the methods and principles set forth below. It is to be pointed out also that certain novel arrangements or features of this embodiment may be employed to advantage in many applications witnout a corresponding use of other ieatures.

In trie accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals reier to similar parts throughout the several views:

Figs. l, 2, and 3 are elevational views of the record changing mechanism, shown in substantially typical proportions, at three different times during tne operating cycle;

Figs. e and 5 are enlarged plan views of the spindle showing the record supporting arms eX- tenued and retracted, respectively;

'i1-ig. 6 is a sectional view taxen on line 6-5 of Fig. 4 with the relative horizontal and vertical dimensions enlarged without record for true proportions in order to more clearly illustrate the construction and principles;

Fig. 7 is a similar view taken along line 'iof big. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 8 of Fig. 7 with somewhat different exaggeration of horizontal dimensions; and

Fig. a is an exploded view snowing, in perspective, the important component parts oi' the spindle with trie various dimensions exaggerated as in the previous figures.

In order to provide initial support for the records, generally indicated at 2 (Fig. l), that are to be played successively, three spaced movable arms c, 4A and eB, are supported by and extend upwardly and outwardly from a center spindle, generally indicated at 6. The records are placed over the upper portion of this spindle 6 with lthe stack of records 2 supported by the lowermost record 2a which, in turn, rests upon the upper ends of the three arms 13, as shown in Fig. l.

From this position the records are caused to n drop one by one, the first record upon the surface of a turntable 3 and the successive records one on top oi" the other above the turntable; the records being played successively in the usual manner. The mechanism for playing the records, controlling the pickup arm, and driving the turntable are not shown, because such features form no part of this invention and are well known already.

To support the remainder of the records while the lowermostregord 2d is permitted to fall freely to the turntable, an expandable gripping ring of relatively soft material, for example, rubber, is positioned just below a top cap I3 of the spindle and is surrounded by the records that are just above the lowermost record, which is below the ring I2 and is supported by the arms In order to expand the resilient ring I2 to grip and support the record stack as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, three spaced expander pins I4, Illa and Mb (Figs. 6, 7, 9) are mounted within the ring and are arranged to be forced outwardly by a tapered end section I6 of an actuating rod I8 which extends vertically upwardly within the spindle 6. Thus, when the actuating rod I8 is moved upwardly the expander pins I4 are forced outwardly by the increasing diameter of the adjacent section of the actuating rod, causing the gripping ring I2 to stretch or expand outwardly to grip firmly the records 2. Advantageously, this gripping action is eiective on more than one of the records and has been found to operate with excellent results when the gripping force is applied to at least three of the records adjacent the lowermost record, in which manner a large number of records may be supported securely without necessity for applying an excessive force againt `the: wal1s of the ,center 'holes of 4the .recorda If 4the rubber gripping ring I2 isfdesignedimproperly therecordsmay-not be securely gripped, the rubber may wear too 4rapidly or more force than is desirable ma-y- Vbe required to stretchthe rubber ring sufficiently -to'grip the records. Accordingly, it is of importance that some care be given `to -the `design and construction ofthe rubberg-ri-pping ring. y'In order to-pr-ovide these desirable featurespthe ring l2 has been formed, for example, by molding, -to the shape zshown most clearly in Fig. 9, wherein thevwall sections are provided 'with three relativelythick sections '22 connectedby three `intervening thinner sections 24. The expander pins Mare positioned adjacent therthickerwall secti'onsf22 and, Lthus,-mcvethese portions outwardlywhile -causing the thinnerportions1-24.ofvthefwall-to stretch. .The outer edges at the ends of the rubber f'gripping ringv are rounded smoothly,-as at 26 `(-llig. 6), whilev the inner nedges lform relatively sharp corners,as V'at 28. Io\--rnaintainthe singinl position and prevent-distortion by vthedownward` -force of the yrec-- ords, -inward-ly extending A'lips y352 are provided l Onthe-thinner wallsections 12d at the upper-and lower ends anda-re arranged toiit intdcorrespondi-ng groove sections `V34 in an upper spindle 36 *('sceLF-ig. 9) `These lips serve to reinforce the rubber gripping -ring I2 and to Ilock -it rmlyin position'on 'the upper-spindle. VWith this arrangement the rubber 'gripping ring retains -its shape-over a long period of Itime. The applicationH ofthe expanding Jforce* in the same direction as -the1directionof ring expansion causes 4the ringtowapply lample gripping force to the records-regardless ofthenumber of :records to ube supported.

With thelrupper records, thus, securely gripped byvthe-expandedrubber ring vi2,the lowermost record 2a may be released 4by the vsupporting arms. This is-accomplished -bymovi-ngthe arms 4 downwardly and inwardly into suitable recesses provided inthe spindle 5. A

In order-that thearms maybe free ofthe record surface as they are moved inwardly toward the lspindle Zand, thus, avoid scraping or wearing action ,-the`initial lacceleration of V"the 'arms is directlyfdownward in -direction and is greater than-the gravitationalacceleration of the now freely fallimg record. Thus; in" effect, the record 2a isleftunsupported"inspacatasshown in Fig. 2 andthe-arms '4 'arernoved `downwardly and inwardly-ir1^such a short period of'time that-they arerreeessed-almost instantly within the center spindle,` f (Fig. 3) sothat the falling'record does not again make contact withthem. `rIhe record, which is released suddenly and in a plane parallel to the surface of the turntable thus continues its descent andalls gently upon the turntable in position to'be played. `By causing the record to fallin a flat position, a cushioning action occurs as i-t reaches the turntable `caused by the vrelativel-yolarge volume-of air which must be vdisplaced. f

, The arms 4- are subsequently released and caused -to -assumetheir initial outwardly extendingposition, .at which time the actuatingrod is moved downwardly, causing the remaining stack ofrecords to be supported again by the arms 4. The actuating rod subsequently moves upwardly sothat the gripping ring again holds or grips the records which are immediately above the second record 2b, which is now the lowermost record of the stack.` `I'Ihemechanisrn is now ready to reloutwardly 4curvedend portion Sil.

sound has been reproduced .from 'the first .-recy ord 2a..

The movable arms .4 maybe constructed :by relatively inexpensive forging or stamping operations, or may be .precision cast, and may assume a `variety vof .shapes andforms depending upon the Yexact details of associatedcomponents. :In this particular embodiment, .the .outer and .inner surfaces of the arms are .generally .arcuate iin horizontal cross section (Fig..9), so that the .inner surfaces are substantially complementarytoithe cylindrical surfaces against which they.. restwhen in the closed position, and the .outerasurfaces have the same radiiof .curvature as the center openings `of the records. The surface of :the upper `end of eachfarm forms an angle suchthat, when the arms are extended, this surface is hori zontal to provide maximum surfacearea for supporting the record. A portion 441of theinner surface ofeach arm near the bottom. is tapered so that this surface is substantially ver-tical when the arms are in the extended position. l

In order to secure the arms .ll in position, :an provide a pivot about. which the arms may rotate betwen the open and closed positions, a notch 38 is provided in the outer surface near thel lower end of each arm. Into this notch 38 is ttedan inwardly extending lip or ilangev42 on the upper end of a generally tubular ann-carrier sleeve t.

In order to carry the arms-4 downwardly, the arm-carrier sleeve 4S, which is `connected by fa threaded section 48 to a trigger ring 52, is moved downwardly. This simultaneous downward Inovement of the arms 4. .and the arm-carrier sleeve 4S causes the tapered portion $44 of .the arms d to` abutagainsta second tapered surface 5|? formed at the lower endof three equallyspaced slots 56 in the upper spindlet (see also Fig. 9). The abutment of these coadjuvant surfaces causes the arms 4 to retract inwardly, andas.- sume a substantially vertical position, thismovement taking place when the armsll have reached substantially the termination oftheir ydownward movement.

The arms are biased slightly toward theextended position, as shown in Fig. 6, by an arm spreading spring 58 (Fig. 9) which,vI"-orexample, may be phosphor bronze or other spring material. A ring portioni,A which surrounds aportion of the actuating rod I8 (Fig. 6), supportsthree equally spaced spring levers., 64a, and 64b which extend upwardly from the ring portion 62, each spring. lever being provided with -an The spring levers 65: are biased inwardly by the ring portion 62 and it is the curved end portionsii that exert the extending force on the arms. rThe upper end of each spring lever til rests against the inner surface of one of the arms 4 and exerts ar slight biasing force sufficient to maintain the arms in the extended position when no appreciable opposing force is present.

l A recessed portion 68 is provided in the inner surface of each arm, and it is into these recessed portions that the ends of the spring levers -64 extend when the arms dare in their retracted positions. With this .arrangement the biasing force of'the springsis effectiveonly .when the arms are in the upper position where the end portions of .the spring levers make Contactv with the sloping edge l2 of the recessed portionv 68.

.In order to move the arms downwardly with suiiicient acceleration that they can be recessed completely within the vslots in the upperspindle portion before the' freely falling record reaches the vertical position of the arms, the downward movement of the arm-carrier sleeve 4G must be relatively fast. Such a motion may be difficult to provide directly from the turntable driving mechanism and, accordingly, a triggering and ball-release arrangement is provided soV that energy stored over a, longer period of time may be utilized to achieve the desired rapid triggering action. In this embodiment, a coil spring 14, surrounding the center portion of a generally tubular lower spindle 16 is placed in compression between the upper end of the trigger ring 52 and the lower end of the upper spindle 38. The upper end of the lower spindle is press fitted into the upper spindle portion so that relative motion between the upper and lower spindle portions is prevented. The compression spring 14, therefore, urges downwardly the assembly including the trigger ring 52, the arm carrier sleeve 46, and the record support arms 4. Such downward movement is prevented, initially, by three balls 18 retained in three equally spaced holes 82 in the lower spindle lt. The inner surfaces of the balls '58 rest against the adjacent surface of the actuating rod I8 and the outer surfaces protrude beyond the circumference of the lower end of the trigger ring 52 and, thus, prevent downward movement of the arms 4 so long as the balls occupy these positions.

Inv order to release the trigger ring 52 and permit the compression spring 'i4 to move the arm assembly downwardly, a circular groove 84 is provided in the actuating rod |8 so that as the rod is moved upwardly to force the gripping ring l2 outwardly to hold the records, the balls -|8 are forced inwardly, by the internal chamfer 8S on the lower end of the trigger ring 52, into the groove which is of sufficient depth that when the groove 84 and the holes 82 in the lower spindle 'I8 are adjacent, the balls 'd8 do not interfere with the movement of the trigger ring 52. Thus, the inward movement ofA the balls 18 releases the lower end of the trigger ring 52 which is forced downwardly by the compression spring '14 causing simultaneous downward movement of the arm-carrier sleeve 48 and the record supporting arms 4. With the abutment of the tapered surfaces 44 and 54 of the arms 4 and of the upper spindle 3S, respectively, the arms 4 are caused to retract rapidly into their respective grooves in the spindle assembly.

In order to reset the arms 4 in the extended position, the trigger ring 52 is pushed upwardly against the force of the compression spring 'i4 by an arm-reset sleeve 88 (Figs. 6 and 9). In order that the actuating rod |8 may be moved vertically and force the balls out of the groove 84 when the spring has been reset, the upper end of the arm-reset sleeve 88 is provided with an enlarged internal opening 92, which results in a thinner wall allowing ample room for the protruding balls T8. Thus, when the trigger ring 52 has been moved upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 the actuating rod i8 may be moved downwardly to lock the arms 4 in the extended position ready to be released or triggered during the subsequent cycle.

In order to support the spindle on the frame of the record player, a turntable hub 94, which surrounds a portion of the arm-reset sleeve 88, is provided having a shoulder 96 and threaded portion 98 for securing the hub to the frame in any desired manner.

In order to actuate the various parts of the spindle and ensure proper time and sequence relationsships during the cycle, the operating movements advantageously are derived from a single oscillating master cam member |02. This master cam is given a generally horizontal reciprocating motion by an eccentric or other drive mechanism (not shown) which desirably is driven by the same motor that drives the turntable 8, the reciprocating motion being synchronized with the mechanism that automatically operates the pick-up arm (not shown). It will be apparent to those familiar with the construction of record changers that the desired reciprocating motion can be obtained readily from almost any conventional phonograph drive mechanism. For example, the spindle may be inserted easily in a Webster Model 156 Changer, by attaching an eccentric drive to the changer mechanism for providing the desired synchronizeol push-pull motion.

An alignment pin |04 extends transversely through slots |05 in the lower portion of the hun s4, through vertical slots |06 in opposite sides ol' the arm-reset sleeve S8, through holes I'l in the lower spindle 18, and through a lmear slot |09 in the master cam |82. With this arrangement, the lower spindle is allowed to have suicient freedom of movement vertically, so that, for example, a cut-011' switch not shown) can be actuated by pin |04 to disconnect the electrical circuits when the last record has been transferred from the spindle to the turntable. Conveniently, the movements of the spindle Acomponents may be considered with respect to the position oi" the lower spindle 16.

To move the actuating rod I8 vertically in accordance with the horizontal position of the master cam |02, an actuating pm |08 extends transversely through holes ||2 in the lower end of the actuating rod I8 and through an enlarged slot I4 in the master cam.

To reset the trigger mechanism, an arm reset pin IIB is provided which extends transversely through the lower end of the arm-reset sleeve 88, and through a slot ||8 in the master cam |02.

In operation, the cycle may be considered to start with the spindle components in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and rI'he actuating rod I8, controlled by the actuating pin |08 and the cam slot H4, is in its lowermost position and the rubber gripping ring |2, accordingly, is in its contracted condition; the stack of records 2 being supported by the arms 4 which are in the extended position. The arm-reset pin I6 which, with the cam slot H8, controls the movement of the arm-reset sleeve 88, is in its uppermost position.

lWhen a record is to be placed on the surface of the turntable, the master cam |02 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7. During the first portion of the cam movement the arm-reset pin ||6 does not move vertically but the actuating rod immediately starts its upward movement as the actuating pin |08 traverses the cam surface |22. During the continued upward movement of the actuating rod, the sloping portion |24 of the lower cam slot ||8 causes the arm-reset sleeve 88 to move to its lower position. At the point in the cani movement when the arm-reset sleeve 83 has been moved to its lower position and the rubber gripping ring I2 has been expanded by the co-action of the actuating rod |8 and the expander pins I4, so that the record stack, ex-

balls 18'.

cept' for the lowermosty record, is supported" by thelLA rubber gripping'ring I 2,' the slope of the lower.' cam surface of theexpan'ded slot II4 is increased; as at |26, in order to localize the point of triggering; It isl during' the time that the-actuating pin' |08 is traversing this surface `that they groove 84 in the actuating rod I8 is 4Thisfcompletes".V the: Afirst` portion of.v the operating cycle.

The` cam'- is: thenzmoved laterally inthe opposite direction'4 to its" initial. position. However, the actuating pin |08Y does not reverse its previouspathof travel because it follows the' upper surface"y of the' expanded cam'` slot H4; down- Ward movement of rodv I8 being prevented by the Thus, during the return movement then actuating pin: I d3 travels along the upper surface of' the' slot, causing' the" rubber" gripping ring I2. to remain' expanded until the return movement ofthe: caml has caused the arm-reset sleeve' to` move" upwardly' to the position pushed' outof the; circular groove S'by' downward'movemcnt of the actuating rod` I 8, which isl accomplished nearthe end of the cycle by the' sloping' surface indicated' at' |25. With this arrangement' the compressive force of the sro-ring is transferredl from the arm-reset' sleeve 38 to the balls 'I8 s'o that there is'no subsequent lost motion when' the'arm-reset sleeve moves downwardly to 'allow room for the trigger ring. Continuing, downward' movement of the actuating rod' I8' releases' the' record stack allowing them to movegently'downwardlyto restupon the record supporting arms 4. The entire mechanism is now ready to` repeat the cycle when the operating mechanism of the record player again actuat'es the master cam |02.

In order topermit the most convenient removal of the records 2 from the turntable 8 the record support arms A are provided with suicient clearance' that they may be closed manually by merely exerting sufcient force to overcome the pressure exerted by the curved end portions Be of the spring levers 6d. Thus, it is only necessary to lift the stack of records directly upward, and as the outer surfaces of the arms d, which are contoured to be substantially ccmplementaryto the inner surface of the holes in the records, make contact with the walls of the holes, the arms will be forced to a closed position so that the records may be removed without diicult mechanical or manual manipulation.

Various advantages and useful features of the embodiment described above have been particularly pointed` out, others will be'apparent from an examination of the working parts, and still otherswill be fully appreciated only byy actual operation of a record changer constructed in accordance with these principles. For example, the vertical distance between the lower end of the gripping ring` 52 andthe upper endsof the record supporting armsA may be adjusted so that a record. of. average thickness inl position upon` the armsl!!` will not be gripped; or willbe. barely grip- 1;ied`:,i-by the `ring 52. In.v any case the gripping foreezisfnot-sufiiciently great but-that the-record ,will fall freely when. the arms 4. are removed.-

10 With thinner records the ring 52 will exertA no gripping force on the record supported by the arms, but will support firmly the record' next above' it. With' thick records the ring 52 may exert more gripping force onfthe record which is supported by the arms;

However, because of the greater weight ofthe thick record, thegripping. force will not'be'suiicient toprevent thierecordffromf dropping when the arms4 areremoved. Thus, thevariation in weight of the records invv accordance with their thickness' provides a` compensation feature that enables the changer tof handle successfully records which vary in thickness by a ratiou of two'to one, or more.:

Certain. other features' ofVv this 'embodiment are for'the=purposefofffacilitating production, assembl'y and' adjustment.4 Thus;` the' 'trigger' ring 52 and'.` the" armi-carrier: sleeve 4S' arejoined' by-Y the threaded'section'zd; so':tliat^the distance'l between the' arms I and'4 thef'rin'g'. 5'2may` be adjusted to best advantage; thus',` increasing the.' allowable production: tolerances.:` Many of th'e'part's jare such 1 that readily'obtainable'stock materialsV such asV tubing, dri'llrod, etc'.,may'b'e utilized withminiiinumz. formingor" machining; operation's. In addition,y the'entireiunitmay be taken apar-terassembledrapidly, thus decreasing' in'itialpro'duction: costs and'4 rendering easy 'thelrepla'cement o'f wornzor' broken parts.

The 'above' description is direc'te'dto a preferred embodiment" ofthe invention, but it is to be under'- stood that this is not intended to be exhaustive nori limiting ofthe invention, but is` described, in accordance with' th'e'statute's, as anV illustration so that others skilled in the arts can modify it asiiflay be suited'vto'the conditionsof a particular use.` For example, in some applications it may be desirable to r'eplace'cert'ain of the verticalv motions witli rotary movement.` Thus therubber maybe expandedby means of a rotating element having'vertically directed cam surfaces which, as the element'is'rotated, move the' expander pins radially, to cause' the-gripping ring alternately to grip andI t'o release the record stack.

I claim:

l'. In an automatic phonograph record changer, anarrangementfor supporting a plurality of records and for releasing successively the individual records, sai'df changercomprising' a driving member for'actuat'ingi said" recordv changing arrangement, av deformablemember for supporting a plurality of records; a .control assembly under the control of said. drivingmember for altering the shape of said. deformable member to support or release said` records, a plurality of movable arms for supporting a record releasedfby said deformable member, and a control mechanism: for mov- Ying said' arms downwardly and removing said armsirom the path of said record, said mechanism comprising an arm-carrier sleeve connected to said armsandl mounted for vertical movement, a spring connected to said. arm-carrier sleeve, a lock normally maintaining. said A spring. under .stressmea'ns under control vof said dri-vingk member for releasing saidlocktocausesaid spr-ing to acceleratel said armi-carrier sleeve and said arms downwardlyr anda reset-member under control of. said drivingmember for resetting said spring to its^ stressed. condition, and` means-respensivefto the downward movement of said arm-s for moving f saidarmsoutsofthe.pathiofsaid-.record.f

2. In; a phonograph, an automatic discf feed for holding, a stack of record-discs-y and releasing them individually and successively to 'permit 11 them to fall upon a turntable, said automatic feed comprising a vertical supporting shaft extending above and coaxial with said turntable and having an expansible portion including a rubber sleeve having a vertical length at least equal to the thickness of a plurality of said discs and with its lower end at a distance above said turntable greater than the height of the entire stack of said discs, the effective diameter of said expansible portion when retracted being less than that of the center holes of said discs and expansible to a diameter greater than that of said center holes, a plurality of retractible arms normally extending outwardly from said shaft, the upper ends of said arms being spaced below the lower end of said expansible portion a distance approximately equal to the thickness of one disc, said arms being retractible downwardly and inwardly into the cylindrical path, described by the center holes of said discs when released from said stack and falling freely to said turntable, means within the said cylindrical path for mov- -ing said arms downwardly and subseduently retracting them into said path, a plurality of horizontally spaced expander members positioned within said rubber sleeve, a cam for moving said Amembers radially outwardly to produce thereby radial expansion of said sleeve, and interconnected means for actuating said cam to hold said sleeve expanded when said arms are in their retracted positions and to release said expansible portion only when said arms are in their extended positions.

3. In a phonograph, an automatic disc feed for holding a stack of record discs and releasing them individually and successively to permit them to fall upon a turntable, said automatic feed comprising a vertical supporting shaft extending above and coaxial with said turntable and having an expansible portion including a sleeve of s resilient material having circumferentially alternate thick and thin wall sections and having a vertical length at least equal to the thickness of a plurality of said discs and with its lower end at a distance above said turntable greater than j the height of the entire stack of said discs, the

effective diameter of said sleeve when retracted being less than that of the center holes of said discs and expansible to a diameter greater than vthat of said center holes. a plurality of retractible arms normally extending outwardly from said shaft, the upper ends of said arms being spaced below the lower end of said expansible portion a distance approximatelv equal to the thickness of one disc, said arms being retractible downwardly and inwardly into the cylindrical path described by the center holes of said discs when released from said stack and falling freely to said turntable, means within the said cylindrical path for moving said arms downwardly and subseouently retracting them into said path, a plurality of horivontallv spaced expander pins positioned vertically within said sleeve, each of said pinsv being positioned adjacent a thick wall section of said sleeve. a cam for simultaneously moving said pins radially outwardly to produce thereby radial expansion of said sleeve, and interconnected means for actuating said cam to hold said sleeve expanded when said arms are in their retracted positions and to release said sleeve only when said arms are in their extended positions.

4. In a phonograph, an automatic disc feed for holding a stack of record discs and releasing them l. individually and successively to permit them to -fallu'pon a turntable, said automatic feed comprising a vertical supporting shaft extending above and coaxial with said turntable and having an expansible portion with a vertical length at least equal to the thickness of a plurality of said discs and with its lower end at a distance above said turntable greater than the height of the entire stack of said discs, the effective diameter of said expansible portion when retracted being less than that of the center holes of said discs and expansible to a diameter greater than that of said center holes, a plurality of retractible arms normally extending outwardly from said shaft, the upper ends of said arms being spaced below the lower end of said expansible portion a distance approximately equal to the thickness of one disc and spaced radially outwardly from said shaft and arranged to support a'record by making contact with the record only lat points spaced from the edges formed by said center holes, said arms being retractible downwardly and inwardly into the cylindrical path described by the center holes of said discs when released from said stack and falling freely to said turntable, means within said cylindrical path for retracting said arms including a vertically movable arm-carrier sleeve pivotally joined to said arms and extending downwardly therefrom, means comprising a spring and a trigger lock for said spring for rapidly accelerating said armcarrier sleeve downwardly when said trigger lock is released, and a cam surface for directing the movement of said arms radially inwardly after said arms have been pulled downwardly a predetermined distance by said arm-carrier sleeve,

separate means for controlling the expansion of said expansible portion, and interconnected means for actuating said expansion control means to hold said expansible portion expanded when said arms are in their retracted positions and to release said expansible portion only when said arms are in their extended positions.

5. In a phonograph, an automatic disc feed for holding a stack of record discs and releasing them individually and successively to permit them to fall upon a turntable, said automatic feed comprising a vertical supporting shaft extending above and coaxial with said turntable and having an expansible portion with a vertical length at least equal to the thickness of a plurality of said discs and with its lower end at a distance above said turntable greater than the height of the entire stack of said discs, the effetcive diameter of said expansible portion when retracted being less than that lof the center holes of said discs and expansible to a diameter greater than that of said center holes, a plurality of retractible arms normally extending outwardly from said shaft, the upper ends of said arms being spaced below the lower end of said expansible portion a distance approximately equal to the thickness of one disc and spaced radially outwardly from said shaft so as to support a record by making contact with the record at points spaced from the edges formed by said center holes, said arms being retractible downwardly and inwardly into the cylindricalpath described by the center holes of said discs when released from said stack and falling freely to said turntable, means within said cylindrical path for retraoting said arms including a vertically movable arm-carrier sleeve pivotally joined to said arms and extending downwardly therefrom,

released, said trigger lock comprising -radially movable balls having rst and second positions for holding and releasing, respectively.. said spring, a vertically movable arm-reset sleeve for compressing said spring and moving said balls to said rst position, and a cam surface for directing the movement of said arms radially inwardly after said arms have been pulled downwardly a predetermined distance by said arm-carrier sleeve, separate means for controlling the expansion of said expansible portion, and interconnected means 4for actuating said expansion control means to hold said portion expanded` when said arms are in their retracted -positions and to release said expansible portion only when said arms are in their extended positions.

6. In an automatic phonograph record changer for supporting a plurality of records and successively releasing the individual records, the

combination comprising a spindle. a plurality of movable supports connected to said spindle and for supporting a record, a normally restrained spring operated mechanism arranged upon release to move said supports away from said record vREEERENCES CITED The followingvreferences are of record lin the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,287,098 Habegger June 23, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 822,026 France Dec. 18, 1937 55,603 Holland Oct. 16, 1943 62,695 Denmark Sept. 18, 1944 64,302 Denmark Feb. 18, 1946 600,466 Great Britain Apr. 9, 1948 

